Ties that Bind

by Pheonix500

This started out small and rapidly became a fan novel founded in the 2012 series but including characters from across the franchise. I bit off a bit more than I could chew with this one, but it was fun ride. The Turtles and their new allies must save the world from an ancient evil. Warning, it will be a few chapters before the Turtles are introduced (Ch. 12 & 14, aww baby turtles).

26. Chapter 24: Lost I

Lost I:

Karai dodged as Alopex dived at her and tried sweeping out the fox's legs, but with her animal grace, she was too quick. Although Alopex's features were far from human, Karai could detect a smile. She was enjoying this fight. And why wouldn't she? Karai was enjoying it too.

No one else trained so unreservedly against her, save her aunt and her father and they were way out of her league. Alopex was more her level and it was an interesting challenge to fight someone, who while untrained, possessed so much natural combat instinct. It got her out of her comfort zone and she liked that.

Still Alopex was picking up their art quickly. Their next charge ended in a draw, with Alopex's retractable talons poised above her abdomen and the tip of Karai's blade less than an inch from the fox's throat.

"Yame!" They both halted and turned to her father, bowing.

"Karai. Amaya is back from another mission and wishes to see you." Karai's heart soared. Her aunt was back? She couldn't wait to show her all that she'd learned. She glanced back at Alopex who smiled at her encouragingly.

"Just you. Kitsune needs to see Alopex for another mission."

"Hai." They responded in unison before parting ways. She'd catch up with Alopex later. She hoped the spritely fox wouldn't be gone too long this time. Alopex was her only friend, assuming she even knew what that meant. Neither had ever had a friend before so it was hard to tell. But Alopex would always return home and they'd become stronger together. She could always depend on that.